The war grew out of a dispute between the King and Parliament. Charles believed the monarch had a divine right to rule without consulting the parliament. Parliament soon resisted being undermined and both sides gathered armies to support them. (PROSE: The Roundheads)

In 1643, the war came to the village of Little Hodcombe. The Malus, a living alien weapon, was awakened by the fighting. He fed off the negative emotions involved. He became dormant again when the fighting ended. The villagers re-enacted the Battle of Little Hodcombe for years to come.

In 1984, the Malus awoke again and tried to use Sir George Hutchinson to have the villagers re-enact the fighting for real. They styled their clothing on that of the period and carried replica weapons. (TV: The Awakening)